Card embossing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for embossing cards and the like which has a housing and an embossing station disposed beneath a type die support frame extending upwardly from the housing. A card holder mounts a card to be embossed and is rectilinearly movable for placement of the cards beneath the frame at the embossing station, incremental movement of the card in an embossing line direction, incremental movement of the card in a direction perpendicular thereto for the spacing and embossing of a plurality of parallel lines. An embossing wheel is mounted on the side of a frame opposite from the card holder and has a plurality of peripherally arranged type die sets mounted on flexible cantilever arms extending from the wheel. The type dies are mounted on ends of the arms and are movable into registration with the embossing station so that one die is disposed on each side of the card. A keyboard disposed over the type wheel selects the registration of the desired type dies. A drive mechanism is mounted on the lower portion of the housing for continuous rotation of the embossing wheel except during the embossing of a symbol on the card, which is effected by actuation of a selective key, key actuation causing the drive means to stop. The drive mechanism further moves the opposing type dies into engagement with the card for the embossing of a symbol, releases the actuated key to permit rotation of the type wheel after the completion of an embossing cycle, and incrementally moves the card holder forward in a line direction after each embossing cycle to position the card for the embossing of the next symbol. The increments by which the card holder can be advanced are variable and the card holder includes means for pivoting the card into an inclined position when the card is removed from beneath the frame for the convenient withdrawal of the card from and the insertion of a card in the card holder.

United States Patent 1 Beers et a1.

[ 1 CARD EMBOSSING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Eugene Beers, Lafayette; Milton M. Brown; William A. Eckes, both of [22] Filed: Mar. 25, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 127,919

[52] US. Cl. ..197/6.6, 197/84, 197/85, B4 lj/1/30 [58] Field of Search l97/6.26.7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,282,389 11/1966 Rudisch et a1 ..l97/6.6 3,263,789 8/1966 Schacht 197/6.6 3,227,258 1/1966 Pannier et a1. 197/6.6 2,951,571 9/1960 Colyer et al. ....197/6.7 3,620,343 11/1971 Deutsch ....l97/6.7

2,870,897 1/1959 Hub] 197/18 3,353,647 ll/1967 l'lugel ...l97/6.7 X 3,362,517 1/1968 Ryan et a1. ..197/l8 2,576,596 11/1951 Gollwitzer.... ....197/6.6 1,961,156 6/1934 McCain. ....l97/6.6 2,927,676 3/1960 Abbondanzo 197/6.6 3,592,309 7/1971 Craft et a1. ..197/l6 2,982,390 5/1961 Beatty ....l97/6.6 3,059,750 10/1962 Schnellmann ....197/6.6 3,277,992 10/1966 Bremer ....197/6,7 2,528,435 10/1950 Isett l97/6.6

Primary Examiner--Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner- 11. T. Rader A ttorney Harris Zimmerman 51 Apr. 10, 1973 ABSTRACT Apparatus for embossing cards and the like which has a housing and an embossing station disposed beneath a type die support frame extending upwardly from the housing. A card holder mounts a card to be embossed and is 'rectilinearly movable for placement of the cards beneath the frame at the embossing station, incremental movement of the card in an embossing line direction, incremental movement of the card in a direction perpendicular thereto for the spacing and embossing of a plurality of parallel lines. An embossing wheel is mounted on the side of a frame op- .posite from the card holder and has a plurality of peripherally arranged type die sets mounted on flexible cantilever arms extending from the wheel. The type dies are mounted on ends of the arms and are movable into registration with the embossing station so that one die is disposed on each side of the card. A keyboard disposed over the type wheel selects the registration of th'edesired type dies. A drive mechanism is mounted on the lower portion of the housing for continuous rotation of the embossing wheel except during the embossing of a symbol on the card, which is effected by actuation of a selective key, key actuation causing the drive means to stop. The drive mechanism further moves the opposing type dies into engagement with the card for the embossing of a symbol, releases the actuated key to permit rotation of the type wheel after the completion of an embossing cycle, and incrementally moves the card holder forward in a line direction after each embossing cycle to position the card for the embossing of the next symbol. The increments by which the card holder can be advanced are variable and the card holder includes means for pivoting the card into an inclined position when the card is removed from beneath the frame for the convenient withdrawal of the card from and the insertion of a card in the card holder.

22 Claims, 30 Drawing Figures PAIENTEB W 01973 SHEET OlUF 14 L'- cu INVENTOR EUGENE BEERS .Qv wmv Ow MILTON M- BROWN WILLIAM A. ECKES WILLIAM A. PENALUNA PATENIEB 3.726.380

' SHEET D2UF 14 PATEHTEB APR 1 01973 SHEET 03 [1F 14 m wl PATENIED I 3,726,380

SHEET on HF 14 PATENTED APR 1 0 I973 SHEET OSUF 14 "III/M10125 FlGJ PATENTED APR 1 0197s SHEET U7 0F 14 "1111/ II/ll/IllllIl/[I Sc mmm mam vm fiwm M m i mmm m Sb mmm v u N PATENTED 1 01975 3,726,380

SHEET 09 [1F 14 PATENTED APR 1 01973 SHEET 10 [1F 14 PATENTEDAPRIOIQTS Q I 3 726,380

.SHEET llUF 14 PATENTED APR 1 01973 SHEET 120F 14 CARD EMBOSSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for embossing credit cards, identification cards and the like conpearance. Such apparatus is provided by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broadest aspect the present invention comprises a housing for placement on a support surface, a drive mechanism positioned in a lower portion of the housing, a type wheel positioned over the drive mechanism in an upper part of the housing, a type wheel including a plurality of axially spaced opposing arm pairs carrying matching type embossing dies rotatable into registration with an embossing station. A keyboard is mounted over thetype wheel on top of the housing and has a plurality of keys operatively engageable with the type wheel for registering a preselected arm pair with the embossing station. Means are provided for connecting the type wheel with the drive mechanism and for temporarily stopping rotation of the type wheel when the selected arm pair is in registration with the embossing station. A frame secured to the housing extends over the print station and supports first means for moving a lower arm of the registered arm pairs towards an upper arm of the arm pairs, and second means for moving the upper arm of the registered arm pairs towards the lower arm. Clutch means connect the arm pair moving means and the drive mechanism for moving the registered arms towards each other. A carriage is mounted to the upper portion of the housing and positions the card between theregistered arm pair dies whereby actuation of the arm pair moving means causes an impression of the dies on the card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the card embossing apparatus of the present invention with .a top cover thereof removed and with portions broken away; v

FIG. 2 isv a longitudinal side elevational cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, with the top cover of the apparatus in place;

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 with the bottom cover removed;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts broken away, of the card carriage shown in the left hand portion of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the card carriage taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged plan view with parts removed and parts broken away to further illustrate details of the card carriage shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating the card carriage in a different position to receive a card;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7, showing in enlarged detail the ratchet and pawl arrangement for letter spacing;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10- 10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary bottom elevational view of the ratchet and pawl mechanism illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but illustrating the ratchet and pawl mechanism in a different position;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 13- 13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but illustrating the mechanism in a further changed position;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 14 but with a different position of the escapement pawl;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of a portion of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 6, and showing the ratchet and pawl mechanism for controlling the linear spacing of the card carriage in a different position;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but illustrating the mechanism in a still different position;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 18- 18 of FIG. 3, and illustrating the typewheel, keyboard and locking mechanism for same;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 19- 19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 20- 20 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the anvil and hammer for embossing the card;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 20 but illustrating the parts in a different position;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 23 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken on line 23-23 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 22 but illustrating some parts of the apparatus in a changed position;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 25- 25 of FIG. 24, similar to FIG. 23 but illustrating the position of the parts when the type wheel is stopped;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 26-26 of FIG. 2 showing the backspace mechanism in normal position;

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 26 but showing the mechanism with the back-space key partially depressed;

FIG. 28 is another view similarto FIGS..26 and 27, but showing the mechanism with the back-space key fully depressed;

FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the card fingers in extended position to allow passage of a card; and

FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the card fingers in the same position as in FIG. 29.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The card embossing apparatus of the present invention, and as best seen in FIGS. 1,2 and 5 of the keyboard mechanism,

drawings, includes a main frame housing 40 having a deck 43 located in the rear portion thereof providing a mounting surface for the card carriage in which a blank card to be embossed is positioned. The main frame housing 40 is also provided with a support for a typewheel and a driving mechanism which will be hereinafter described. A fixed frame 42 is mounted on the rear deck 43 and is provided with a plurality of mounting bosses 44, one of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, to provide means to support and secure the frame 42 to the rear deck 43. The fixed frame 42 provides a means to mount the movable carriage frames. The card carriage consists generally of two movable frame sections providing movement in two normally related directions. A first carriage frame 46 is movable in a transverse plane to provide an indicia or character spacing on the card, and a second carriage frame 48 is movable in a linear plane to provide a line spacing for the embossed card. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the fixed frame 42 is provided with a pair of fixed guide rods 50, providing means to support and guide the carriage 46 in its transverse movement.

Carriage 46 is in turn provided with a pair of fixed guide rods 52, providing means to support and guide the carriage 48 in a linear plane.

To position a blank card 93 in the carriage for an embossing operation, the carriage 48 is moved to a rearward direction, i.e. to the left as shown in FIGS. 1,4 and 6, until it reaches its rearwardmost position as shown in FIG. 8. This rearward motion is accomplished by manually rotating a knob 54-(shown in FIG. 1) and its associated shaft 56 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 2. A pair of sprockets 58 are secured on shaft 56 and mesh with a corresponding pair of racks 60, the racks being part of the rigid frame 42. Rotation of the shaft 56 and sprockets 58 meshed with the rack 60, pushes against a pivotally mounted latch 62, forcing or rocking the latter in a rearwardly direction until it reaches the stopped rearward position as shown in FIG. 8. Latch 62 is provided with an abutment 64 that engages the shaft 56 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), and is further provided with a stop lug 66 and a return spring 68 which is anchored to carriage 48. A finger 70 forming a rear portion of the latch is adapted to engage the rear wall 72 of carriage 46 (shown in FIG. 7). Latch 62 is further provided with a locking cam 74 adapted to engage the top of rear wall 72, thus locking the carriage 48 in its rearwardmost position as illustrated in FIG. 8.

As the carriage 48 approaches its rearwardmost position, finger 70 of latch 62 engages the wall 72, rocking the latch in a counterclockwise direction about a pivot pin 76, the pivot pin 76 being secured to the frame 48. As the latch 62 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, it will remove the latch abutment 64 from engagement with shaft 56, allowing such shaft 56 to move rearwardly in relationship to the carriage 48.

Carriage 48 is comprised generally of a horizontal base plate 78 and a pair of side walls 80 and 82. Side walls 80 and 82 are provided with upstanding lugs 84 adapted to mount a facsimile card holder 86. A facsimile card 87 is firmly held in position in the card holder 86. Carriage 48 is also provided with downturned guide lugs 88 (shown in FIG. 7), said guide lugs being provided with nylon grommets 90, the latter serving as a bearing bushing adapted to slide easily upon guide rods 52. The guide rods 52 are provided with a resilient stop 92 adapted to engage the grommets in their rearwardmost position (as shown in FIG. 8) and thus limit the rearwardmost travel of carriage 48.

Card Clamping Mechanism The transverse carriage 48 is provided with a card clamping mechanism to securely hold the blank card 93 upon which data is to be embossed. The card clamping and holding mechanism is most clearly shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, and comprises a cam mechanism 94, card clamping finger assembly 96, and a card floor plate 98. Floor plate 98 is provided with a pair of upturned ends 100, pivotally mounted on a cross shaft 102, the shaft 102 being rigidly secured in the side plates 80 and 82 of the linear carriage 48. End plates are further provided with a stop projection 104. A card locating and stop bar 106 is mounted on floor plate 98 and is capable of linear adjustment thereon by means ofa slot 107 and secured by a screw 108.

The card clamping finger assembly 96 is also pivotally mounted on the cross shaft 102 and is provided with a rigid rod 110 extending tranversely between a pair of card clamping fingers 112 and rigidly secured thereto. A pair of tension springs 114, tensioned between the pin 110 and floor plate 98 provide a downward tension of the fingers 112 against the card 93, the fingers 112 having pointed ends 116 which will urge the card 93 against the floor plate 98. Assembly 96 is also provided with a transverse shaft 118, which is secured to the fingers 112, the shaft being provided with a pair of flanged rollers 120 which engage the clamping cam 94.

The card clamping cam 94 is provided with a transverse shaft 122, which extends between the side plates 80 and 82 of carriage 48 and is rotatable therein. Shaft 122 has an enlarged central portion 124, the ends of which are rigidly secured to a pair of end plate cams 94. The ends of the clamp shaft 122 are reduced in diameter as indicated at 128 between the cam surface 126 of cam 94 and side plates 80 and 82. The cam plates 126 are provided with radial slots 132, which embrace the cross shaft 56, and are further provided with notches 134 and 136. The notches 134 are adapted to engage the flanged rollers 120 when the card clamping mechanism is in an operative position clamping the card 93, and the notches 136 engage such rollers when the card clamping mechanism is in its retracted position as shown in FIG. 8 wherein the clamping fingers are in an open or inoperative position.

It will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 7 and 8 that as the shaft 56 is rotated as above described and moves toward the rear, it will engage the slots 132 in cam plates 126 causing them to rotate in a clockwise direction, forcing their peripheries against the flanged rollers 120 and causing the clamping assembly to rotate in a counterclockwise direction until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 8. At this time, the notches 136 will engage the flanged rollers 120 where the parts will come to rest in a locked position causing the card clamping assembly to be held in a fixed position. Side plates 80 and 82 of carriage 48 are provided with slots 133 to permit lateral movement of shaft 56 in relation to carriage 48 during the clamping and unclamping operation.

Immediately prior to the card clamping assembly reaching the position shown in FIG. 7, the stop lugs 104 of floor plate 98 engage stops 138 on side plates 80 and 82. In this position, the fingers 112 will be held in an open position, finger points 116 being disengaged from card 93. When the carriage 48 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 7, the card clamping assembly 96 and floor plate 98 holding the blank card 93 will be rotated into an embossing position as shown in FIG. 7 by means of a tension spring 140 having one end anchored to the carriage 48, and the other end secured to the card clamping floor plate 98 An upturned lug 141 extending from floor 78 of carriage 48 limits the down position of card holder 93.

Driving Mechanism Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of brackets 142 depend from the rear deck 43 to provide a cushioned mount for a motor 144, the latter'having a drive pulley 146. A belt 148 transmits the drive from pulley 146 to a driven pulley 150. Pulley 150 is keyed to a transverse drive shaft 152, which is rotatably supported in a pair of bearings 154, which are secured to a pair of bracket mounts 156, the latter being rigidly supported from the deck 41. 7

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 22 and 24, a bevel gear 158 is keyed to shaft 152 at one end thereof spaced from the connection of pulley 150, and meshes with a bevel gear 160, which is keyed to a longitudinal extending drive shaft 161. The bevel gear 160 is provided with two integral oppositely facing bevel gear faces 162 and 164. Gear face 162 meshes with the bevel gear 158, while the gear face 164 meshes with another bevel gear 166, the latter being keyed to a vertical drive shaft 168. The vertical shaft 168 supports and rotates a typewheel, generally indicated as 170.

The floor plate 41 is provided with a depending hollow boss 172 disposed axially relative to the type-wheel 170 and provides a bearing for the shaft 168. The upper end of shaft 168 is provided with a threaded stud portion 174 which is threaded into a screw 176 which secures the typewheel 170 to the shaft 168. A bushing bearing 178 is mounted in the upper end of the boss 172 and provides a bearing surface for the typewheel 170.

Shaft 168 has a tube 184 telescopically engaged over a central portion thereof, the tube being supported by a washer 183 and a spring 181. Around the tube 184 is a spool 182 retained by a pin 180. Disposed above the spool is a conical driver 185 which is held in place by a depending lug 189 which is retained in a groove 187 of tube 184. Spool 182 is also provided with a cam surface 186 adapted to receive and frictionally drive the typewheel 170, the latter being more clearly illustrated in FIG. 25.

TYPEWHEEL The typewheel assembly 170 is formed of a plurality of parts securedtogether in one package and is quickly and easily removable from the card embosser by removing the screw 176.

The typewheel assembly is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 22, and generally comprises a pair of opposing typewheels 188 and 190, a locking notched wheel 192 and a key stop wheel 194. The typewheels 188 and 190, locking wheel 192 and key stop wheel 194 are secured together by means of a plurality of rivets. The locking wheel 192 is provided with a central hub portion 198 which is rotatably supported in the bearing bushing 178. The hub 198 is provided with a cam 200 which engages the cam portion 186 of the spool 182 during the typing operation which will hereinafter be described. The boss 198 is also provided with a conical bore 220 which receives and engages the conical driver during its driving rotation. The locking wheel 192 is provided with a plurality of notches 204 that coincide with the angular spacing of the type on wheels 188 and 190. The function of locking wheel 192 and the spacing notches 204 will also be hereinafter described.

The stop wheel 194 is provided with a plurality of spokes 209 connecting the periphery of the wheel 194 to a central hub portion 206. An additional spoke is radially interpositioned between the aforementioned spokes and provides a radial stop 222 shown in FIG. 1. The hub portion 206 is provided with a recessed portion to receive the head of screw 176.

The typewheels 188 and are each provided with central hub portions 208 and annular rings 210, the annular rings 210 having radially extending flexible fingers 212. The radial fingers 212 have diverging ends 214 and 216 as shown in FIG. 22, such diverging ends providing a supporting means for a female embossing type die 218 and a matching male embossing type die 220, respectively. Such dies could obviously be interchanged.

Keyboard As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 18 and 19, a keyboard 224 is provided with a frame member 226 which is rigidly mounted on the deck 41. The keyboard unit is further illustrated and described in co-pending application Ser. No. 141,643, filed May 10, 1971 entitled Automatic Push Button Tape Embossing Machine. Frame 226 provides a mounting means for a plurality of type keys 228. The keys 228 are structurally identical except for the stop pins that engage the radial stop 222 of the stop wheel 194. The keyboard is also provided with a fixed plate 230 and a key hold-down locking plate 232. The keys 228 are provided with a central stern 234 having an inverted conical-shaped portion 236. The conical-shaped portion 236 will engage and move the plate 232 and will lock behind said plate to the position shown in the 2nd key from the left in FIG. 19. In this position, a stop portion 238 of the key 228 is in a position to intercept the radial stop 222 of stop wheel 194. When the rotation of the typewheel assembly 170 is thus stopped by actuation of a selected key 228, the corresponding pair of selected embossing dies 218 and 220 will be in the embossing position. Each key 228 is provided with a compression spring 240 to return the key to its normal position when released by the plate 232. The release mechanism for the keys 228 will be hereinafter described. In the embossing position, a notch 204 of wheel 192 will be engaged by a wedge 242 which will precisely radially position the typewheel 170 and lock it in such position during the embossing operation.

Cam Drive and Controls The drive and controls for the cams to be hereinafter described are most clearly shown in FIGS. 3, 22 and 24.

The horizontal drive shaft 161 drives a group of cams to perform various operations required to effect embossing of card 93. The drive shaft 161 drives this group of cams 224 through a clutch 246. The rotation of clutch 246 is controlled and released by a bell crank 248 which is interposed between the spool 182 on a vertical shaft 168 and the clutch 246. The bell crank 248 is fulcrummed on a stud shaft 250 which is mounted on bearings 252 supported from the deck 41. The bell crank 248 has one arm 251 extending horizontally toward the spool 182 and is provided with a cylindrical projection 254 which engages the annular recess 187 in tube 184. The other arm 248 of the bell crank comprises a vertical portion 256 terminating in a blunt end 258 which engages and holds a projection 260 of the clutch 246.

When the typewheel 170 is locked in an embossing position by stop 238, as shown in FIG. 19, the vertical shaft will continue to rotate causing the spool 182 to be forced downwardly by the engagement of the cam surface 186 of spool 182 with cam 200 of the typewheel 170. This downward motion will rock the bell crank 248 in a counterclockwise direction removing the abutting end 258 from engagement with the projection 260 on clutch 246, as shown in FIG. 22, to the position shown in FIG. 24. In this latter position, the clutch 246 will engage, transmitting the drive into the cam group 244, through a tongue and groove connection 261.

Carn group 244 will be rotated 360 during which time the bell crank 248 will be returned to its normal position shown in FIG. 22 wherein the clutch will be stopped from rotating be engagement of the projection 260 again abutting the end 258 of bell crank 248.

It will be noted that the typewheel 170 will be continuously rotated except when it is arrested by one of stops 238 of a depressed key 228, where it will stop momentarily during its embossing operation after which the key is released. The typewheel 170 will again continuously rotate until it is stopped by the actuation or depression of additional keys.

One of the keys 228 is utilized for spacing operation. In connection with this key, the associated embossing type 218 and 220 are not present. It will be apparent that when this particular key is pressed, the apparatus will go through all of the embossing operations without actually embossing the card but will space the carriage one letter. By holding down this key, the desired number of spaces can be accomplished with each cycle.

Wheel Locking Cam and Associated Mechanism The abovementioned cam and mechanism is most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3, 18 and 22.

One of the group of cams 244 has a peripheral cam surface 262 which engages a follower roller 264 rotatably supported on one end of a bell crank 266. The other end of bell crank 266 is rigidly secured to the wedge 242 for engaging the locking notched wheel 192, positioning the wheel and holding it securely in position. During the first part of the rotation of the cam surface 262, which has a sharp rise 268, the bell crank 266 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, causing the wedge 266 to engage and lock the lock wheel 192 holding it securely in position, such rocking action taking place about a fulcrum 270. The bell crank 266 is also provided with a tension spring 272 which urges follower roller 254 against the cam surface 262. The cam surface 268 holding the bell crank 266 will remain in a locked position during the embossing operation. Wedge 252 thus accurately positions type wheel and permits key 228 to be released.

Keyboard Key Release Cam and Associated Mechanism The keyboard key lock release is most clearly shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

Cam 262 is provided with an integral face cam surface 274 which engages a follower roller 276 rotatably secured to a slide bar 278, having a vertical end portion 280. The portion 280 is capable of engaging a depending finger 282 from the key lock plate 232. The slide bar 278 is slidably retained on a pair of bosses 284 depending from the deck 41. The slidable bar 278 along with follower roller 276 is resiliently retained in position by a tension spring 286. After the completion of the embossing operation, the cam surface 274 pushes the slide bar 278 to the left as viewed in FIG. 19. The supper rear position 280 engages the depending finger 282 moving the lock plate 232 to the left and releases the depressed key 228.

Card Embossing Cams and Associated Mechanism These cams and the associated mechanism for the embossing operations are most clearly shown in FIGS. 3,20,21,22 and 24.

The card embossing is accomplished by bringing an anvil 302 into position over the female type dies 218 followed by a hammer 330 striking the male type die 220 against the female die 218 with the card 93 therebetween. To accomplish this, a pair of cams are employed to provide the necessary movement.

The anvil cam is a peripheral surfaced cam 288 that engages a follower roller 290 which is rotatably supported on a bell crank 292. The other arm of bell 292 is pivotally secured to one end of link 294; the other end of the link being pivotally connected at 296 to a bell crank 298. Bell crank 298 is secured to a spring loaded link 300 whose distal end is pivotally attached at 500 to a rocker 501 which in turn in pivotally mounted at 502 to a rigid bridge 303 which is secured to a pair of pedestals 301 integral with deck 41. The rocker 501 engages a roller 503 carried at one end of a spring loaded arm 504 whose other end is pivotally attached to bridge 303. A medial portion of arm 504 is notched to receive the anvil 302, the upper end of the latter being carried on a pin 297. In operation, when the cam 288 rotates, the high portion of cam 288 will force outwardly against the follower roller 290, rotating the bell crank 292, which is fulcrummed on shaft 270, forcing the link 294 upwardly and causing the bell crank 298 to move link 300 and its rocker downwardly against roller 503, to thereby bring the anvil 302 into the operative position shown in FIGS. 21 and 24. The anvil engages the female type 218 forcing it down into the position engaging the card 93.

The type hammer 330 is actuated by a peripheral actuating cam 306. The cam 306 engages a follower roller 308 rotatably mounted on a pin 309. The pin 309 is secured in one end of hell crank 310, fulcrummed on a pin 312 secured in the bracket 305. A tension spring 314 is secured to the other end of the bell crank 310,

and is anchored to the bracket 305 to maintain engagement of the follower roller 308 with the cam 306.

The pin 309 is also pivotally connected to a pair of links 316, the opposite end of said links 316 being pivotally connected by a pivot pin 318 to one end of a pair of plates 320, which in turn are secured to a stub shaft 322. The stub shaft 322 is pivotally mounted in a bearing 324 secured to a depending boss 326 of the floor plate 41. The pair of plates 320 are connected by means of a pivot pin 328. The pivot pin 328 is pivotally connected with the type hammer 330. The lower end of the hammer 330 is provided with a milled flat portion 332 which lays between the plates 320. The central portion of hammer 330 is cylindrical in form and rides in a bore 334 in a boss 336 which is integral with the floor plate 41. The upper end of type hammer 330 has a 'reduced cylindrical end 338 having a striking surface 339 which engages the male type 220.

In operation, the cam 306 will rotate the bell crank 310 in a clockwise direction to a position shown in FIG. 21 wherein the plates 320 have been forced upwardly causing the hammer to strike the type die 220 against the card 93 which is backed by the female type die 218, anvil 302 and bridge 303. It will be noted here that this arrangement provides a toggle action to the hammer actuating means.

Letter Spacing Cam and Associated Mechanism FIGS. 4,5,6,9 and 11 best illustrate this construction.

The periphery cam 288, of the cam group 244, is provided with a face cam 340 for actuating a letter spacing mechanism. A follower roller 342 engages face cam 340 and is pivotally secured to one end of a bell crank 344 shown most clearly in FIGS. 4, and 6. Bell crank 344 is fulcrummed on a pin 346 secured to the fixed frame 46 that supports the movable carriages. An arm 348 of the bell crank 344 is provided with a pair of down-turned lugs 350 and 352. A tension spring 354 is secured to the lug 350 and is anchored to the fixed frame 46, providing tension to maintain roller 342 against the face cam 340.

The escapement means to accomplish the letter spacing is most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1,4,5 and 9 through 15. It will be noted that the spacing mechanism is provided with two separate space mechanisms so that the carriage will be capable of producing two different letter spacings to accomodate two different sizes of letters. The selection of the spacing mechanism to be used is controlled from the exterior of the embosser adjacent to the left side of keyboard 224, by a control knob 356 attached to a slidable bar 358 having a notch 360. Notch 360 engages one end of a bell crank 362, the bell crank being fulcrummed on a pin 364 secured to the fixed frame 46. The other end of bell crank 362 is provided with a upturned projection 366. This projection engages one end of pawls 368 and 370 which are pivotally mounted on a pin 371 secured to an upturned projection 373 of the fixed frame 46. Pawl 368 is adapted to engage a rack 374, while pawl 3'70 engages rack 376. Both racks 374 and 376 are rigidly secured to the transverse carriage 346.

The pawls 368 and 370 are provided with tension springs 378 and 380 respectively, such springs being anchored to a downturned projection 382 from the fixed frame 46.

The pawls 368 and 370 are provided with ends 384 and 386, respectively, adapted to be engaged by the upturned projection 366 of bell crank 362. The ends 384 and 386 are angularly disposed to each other. It will be apparent from comparing FIG. 9 with FIG. 14 that the disposition of the projection 366 against the ends 384 and 386 of the pawls 368 and 370 will cause selectively one or the other of the pawls 368 or 370 to be in operative position with respect to racks 374 or 376.

The pawls 368 and 370 are provided with projections 388 adapted to engage a projection 389 at one corner of an escapement pawl 390. The opposite comer of the triangular shaped escapement pawl 390 is provided with a similar projection 391 adapted to engage the rack 374 thus holding said rack and the carriage against movement during the spacing escapement. It will be noted that the projection 391 will restrain the carriage movement during the escapement movement for either racks 374 or 376 The escapement pawl 390 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 392, secured to an upturned projection 394 from frame 46. The escapement pawl 390 is permitted some arcuate movement on the pivot pin 392 by means of slot 396. In connection with this, it will be noted that racks 374 and 376 being of different pitch, which will causeiat certain times, the projection 391 to engage the rack 374 at a point where the projection 391 would not engage. At this time slot 396 will allow the escapement pawl 390 to move arcuately until the projection 391 will fall into a tooth space of the rack 374.

A solid coil spring 398 connects the bell crank 348 to the lower corner 400 of the triangular escapement pawl 390. When the letter spacing is actuated by the cam 340, the escapement pawl 390 will rotate in a c0unterclockwise direction causing the projection 389 to engage the projected end 388 of the pawl 368 (as shown in FIG. 15) or 370 releasing these pawls from their respective racks, and allowing the carriage to advance one letter spacing, the projection 391 as previously mentioned holding the carriage from moving more than one space. The escapement pawl 390 is returned to its normal position as shown in FIG. 9 by a tension spring 402 secured to the lower corner 400 of theescapement pawl 390 and anchored to the projection 382.

The transverse carriage is provided a tabular bar mechanism. An actuating lever 404 is pivotally mounted on the right side of the transverse carriage frame. The lower end of lever 404 is provided with a pin 406 adapted to engage a cam surface 408 of a bar 410. The tabular bar 410 is provided with a transverse plate 412 extending between the side plates of the transverse carriage 46. The ends of the plate 412 are provided with ears 414 which are pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft 416 secured to the side walls of carriage 46. The plate 412 is also provided with an edge 418 adapted to engage the projection 389 of the escapement pawl 390. A grasshopper spring 420 torques the tab bar 410 in a clockwise direction. The actuated position of the type bar is clearly illustrated in FIG. 12 wherein both pawls 368 and 370 are disengaged from their respective racks 374 and 376 enabling free transverse movement of carriage 46. The lever 404 is provided with a tension spring 422 to return said lever to its normal position shown in FIG.,9. Carriage 46 is moved to the left by a tension spring 423 when it is released by the escapement mechanism. 

1. Apparatus for embossing cards comprising: a support structure, a type wheel rotatably mounted to the support structure and having a plurality of symbol embossing means movable to an embossing station and also a radial leading edge extending from adjacent the type wheel center toward the type wheel periphery, type selector means for positioning a preselected symbol embossing means at the printing station, said type symbol selector means comprising a keyboard having a plurality of keys positioned over the type wheel, said keys having lower portions for direct selective engagement with said leading edge when selectively moved toward the type wheel for locating the type wheel at a predetermined position in response to the actuation of a key, means for moving the symbol embossing means at the station against a support surface movable into and out of registration with the embossing station, a card holder for positioning a card at the embossing station between the symbol embossing means and the support surface for the embossing of a symbol thereon, means for moving said card holder in a first direction toward and away from the embossing station, and means for moving the card holder in a second, substantially perpendicular direction, wherein the second direction moving means includes means for moving the card in variable increments with respect to the embossing station.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for pivoting the card from a first embossing plane into a second card changing plane to facilitate the insertion of the card, and the removal of the card from the card holder.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for continuously rotating the type wheel between embossing cycles, and means for temporarily holding the selected embossing means in registration with the embossing station while the means for moving the symbol embossing means is actuated.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 including means responsive to the temporary type wheel holding means for actuating the moving means for the symbol embossing means.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 including means responsive to the temporary type wheel holding means for moving the card holder an increment with respect to the embossing station after the moving means for the symbol embossing means has been actuated.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 including means operable independently of the temporary type wheel holding means, for moving the card holder in a direction substantially perpendicular to another direction in which the card holder is movable.
 7. A card embossing apparatus comprising: a support structure, a type wheel rotatably mounted to the support structure and having a plurality of radially extending type die carrying flexible arms and a radial leading edge extending from adjacent the type wheel center toward the type wheel periphery, a card holder for carrying a card, means for providing variable, incremental movement of said card holder and a card to be embossed with a type die past an embossing station to provide at least two different letter spacings, means for temporarily positioning a predetermined type die at said station, said means consisting of a keyboard mounted over said type wheel on the top of said support structure having a plurality of keys having lower portions for direct selective engagement with said leading edge when selectively moved toward the type wheel, continuously energized drive means mounted to the support structure, means coupling the type wheel with the drive means and including temporarily disengageable first clutch means operatively coupled with the selecting means for temporarily positioning the predetermined die at said station, means moving the arm carrying the predetermined die towards the card to emboss the card with the predetermined die, and means responsive to the first clutch means for actuatiOn of the die moving means while the type wheel positions the predetermined die at said station.
 8. Apparatus according the claim 7 wherein the clutch responsive means includes a second clutch for connection of a cam surface with the drive means in response to a disengagement of the first clutch means, and including force transmitting means actuated by the cam means for actuation of the arm moving means.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including means actuated by the cam means for release of the type wheel positioning means after actuation of the arm moving means.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second clutch means connects the cam means with a second shaft continuously rotated by the drive means, wherein the second clutch means is ordinarily disengaged, and including means for engaging the second coupling means for at least one revolution of the second shaft.
 11. Apparatus for embossing cards comprising: a housing for placement on a support surface, a drive mechanism positioned in a lower portion of the housing which continuously rotates a type wheel positioned over the drive mechanism in an upper part of the housing and having a plurality of axially spaced, opposed arm pairs carrying matching dies rotatable into registration with an embossing station, said type wheel also including a radial leading edge extending from adjacent the type wheel center towards the type wheel periphery, a keyboard mounted over the type wheel on top of the housing having a plurality of keys having lower portions for direct selective engagement with said leading edge when selectively moved toward the type wheel for positioning a preselected arm pair in registration with the embossing station, the keys, the arm pairs and the type dies being so arranged that when a key engages said edge, a corresponding die pair is at the embossing station, means for connecting the type wheel with the drive mechanism and for temporarily disengaging the type wheel from the drive mechanism when a selected arm pair is in registration with the embossing station, a frame secured to the housing and extending over the said station, first means for moving a lower arm of the registered arm pair towards an upper arm of the arm pair, second means supported by the frame for moving the upper arm of the registered arm pair towards the lower arm, means connecting the arm pair moving means and the drive mechanism for moving the registered arms towards each other, means carried by the upper portion of the housing for positioning the card between the registered arm pair whereby actuation of the arm pair moving means causes an embossing impression of the dies on the card, and spacing means coupled with the drive mechanism for linearly advancing the card positioning means after each actuation of the arm moving means said spacing means including means to selectively vary the increment of linear advance.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 including means for moving the card positioning means in a plurality of directions in a plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by faces of the dies registered at the embossing station.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for visibly mounting a facsimile card to the card positioning means, and means for indicating the relative card position at the embossing station on the facsimile card to facilitate the embossing operation while symbols embossed on the card are invisibly disposed beneath the frame.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including means for moving the card positioning means towards and away from the embossing station prior to and after the embossing of symbols thereon, and means for moving the card into an upwardly inclined position when remote from the embossing station for inserting the card in and withdrawing the card from the positioning means.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 11 including spacing means coupled with the drive mechanism for linearly advancing the card positioning means an increment after each actuation of the arm moving means.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the type wheel includes a plurality of positioning notches, and including a member for engaging a positioning notch whereby the die pair at the print station is placed in precise registration with the print station, and means coupling said member with the drive mechanism so that said member engages a notch after a die pair is at the embossing station and disengages the notch after the arm pair moving means have been actuated to thus permit a subsequent free rotation of the type wheel.
 17. Apparatus for embossing symbols on a card at spaced intervals on a plurality of spaced parallel lines comprising: a housing having upper and lower portions, a frame connected to the housing and defining an embossing station, a card holding device disposed on another side of the frame and defined by first and second interconnected carriages, said first carriage being variably, incrementally movable in directions parallel to and said second carriage being movable in directions perpendicular to lines to be embossed on a card along guide members connected to the housing, a card holder carried by a carriage for grasping the card in a cantilever fashion for movement of the card beneath the frame to said station through corresponding movement of at least one carriage, a type wheel having a plurality of outwardly extending opposing radial arm pairs movable into registration with the said station through rotation of the wheel so that one arm of a registered arm pair is disposed on each side of the card at said station and a radial leading edge extending from adjacent the type wheel center toward the type wheel periphery, a first member carried by the frame at said station for movement against one arm of the registered arm pair and a second member at said station for movement against the other arm of the registered arm pair to mutually support a cantilevered portion of the card at said station and emboss a symbol thereon, a keyboard disposed on top of said housing and mounted over said type wheel and having a plurality of keys having lower portions for direct selective engagement with said leading edge when selectively moved toward the type wheel, a drive mechanism mounted in the lower portion of the housing, means coupling the type wheel with the drive mechanism so that the type wheel rotates except while a selected key is depressed and an arm pair is registered at said station for the embossing of a symbol on the card, and means coupling the first and second members with the drive mechanism so that the members are moved towards each other in response to a temporary stoppage of the drive wheel rotation.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 in which said drive mechanism includes a drive shaft, a clutch on said drive shaft, a plurality of cams selectively rotatable with said drive shaft upon clutch engagement, and means engaging said clutch upon rotational stoppage of said type wheel, one of said cams coupling said first and second members with said drive mechanism.
 19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 18 in which another of said cams effects locking of said type wheel upon clutch engagement.
 20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 18 in which another of said cams effects release of said type wheel upon completion of an embossing operation.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said last named means moves the card incrementally in one direction following each embossing operation, and means for incrementally moving said card in a contra direction for backspacing the card.
 22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 21 in which said backspace means includes an arm selectively frictionally engageable with and removable from said card holder, and means for moving said arm when in said engageable position. 